Police disperse protesters at police station in Yerevan

YEREVAN, July 21. /TASS/. Police officers in Yerevan dispersed over the night protesters in front of the police station that had been seized by a group of armed people, Tass reports from the site, saying some 50 people were detained.

Clashes between police and demonstrators were seen at the police station late on Wednesday. According to the Armenian Ministry of Health, 51 people were injured in the clashes, including 28 police officers.

The president and the governmental authorities have not reacted to the developments as of yet.

Late on Wednesday, the office of the Armenian human rights ombudsman said in a statement it was "closely following the developments" in Yerevan. "Some calls have come to the telephone hotline, and relevant action was taken in conformity with the law," the office said.

A group of armed individuals has been holding the premises of a police regiment after seizing them several days ago and taking policemen hostage.

The country’s National Security Council said earlier law enforcement agencies were holding intense talks with the attackers "to arrange their surrender to the authorities and release of hostages without special actions."

The attackers demand that the authorities release oppositionist Zhirair Sefilyan who was arrested in June on suspicion of organizing an armed group that had been preparing the seizure of the Yerevan TV Center and other important facilities.